Genetic screening in maternity care: preventive aims and voluntary choices

This paper analyses a prenatal genetic screening programme for three gene defects, conducted at maternity care centres in Eastern Finland in 1995 and 1996. What is special in this case is that the screening ended sooner than was planned. This paper investigates how the genetic screening programme was launched, the problems it encountered and the circumstances of its closure. The present analysis focuses on the co‐existence of, and tensions between, the two major objectives of the project: preventing disability and increasing mothers’ choices. The tensions between these two objectives were highlighted at maternity care centres. The public health nurses working at these centres were confused about whether or not they should offer autonomous consumer choice or guidance to mothers to behave in responsible and health‐conscious ways. The nurses’ confusion was intensified because the goal of prevention was identified with financial savings for the municipality, which the nurses thought was an inappropriate reason for abortions.